Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s

MARCH 4, 2016 – MAY 31, 2016 The Toys exhibit showcased many of the nation’s most popular toys and demonstrated how these toys reflected three decades of dynamic changes in American life.

Gumby. Barbie. Slinky. Hot Wheels. Atari.

Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s will showcase many of the nation’s most popular toys and demonstrate how these toys reflected three decades of dynamic changes in American life.

Featuring nearly 500 memorable childhood favorites, from Barbie and Gumby to Hot Wheels and Atari, Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s will present the personal perspectives of children, parents, child-rearing experts, inventors, and advertisers that help to place the toys in historical context.

Developed in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society, this 8,000-square-foot exhibit will share the stories behind the iconic toys, including how they were developed and used to teach and entertain children.

As part of the exhibit, visitors will be able to enjoy hands-on examples of dozens of toys and numerous interactive areas throughout the exhibit.

Visitors can enjoy their favorite toys from the era, including everything from Erector sets and space-themed rockets to Troll dolls and early electronic games like Simon and Speak & Spell.

The History Center will also showcase artifacts and stories behind toys developed or produced in Western Pennsylvania, focusing on items from the Wolverine Toy Company and the Slinky.

The exhibit ends with a special vintage arcade and pinball gallery, courtesy of ReplayFX.

Exhibit Must-Sees

  • Several Smithsonian artifacts, including a Mr. Potato Head from the 1950s and a Digi-Comp1 computer game from the 1960s;
  • Interactive living rooms from each era, including a 1960s living room modeled after a Barbie Dreamhouse;
  • A hands-on “garage” featuring plastic bowling pins, Nerf footballs, and hula hoops;
  • A play space filled with classic games, including “Rock’em Sock’em Robots,” “Barrel Of Monkeys,” and “Simon;”
  • A staircase where visitors can race Slinkys; and
  • Multimedia presentations and a toys trivia game.

On the Blog

In the News

I Had That: Childhood Toys Photo Album

Care Bear and Barbie Dream House
History Center Director of Administration Tonia Rose with her Care Bear and Barbie Dream House, 1983.

Cowgirl outfit
History Center Museum Project Manager and Curator of Food and Fitness Lauren Uhl in her new cowgirl outfit complete with holster and gun, 1958.

Cabbage Patch Doll
The History Center’s Curator of the Italian American Program Melissa Marinaro with her Cabbage Patch Doll, 1985.

Director of Exhibits and Design, Michael Dubois, on his Sit and Spin, 1974.

Liz Simpson with her Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle plush, 1990.
History Center Assistant Editor/Assistant Registrar, Liz Simpson, with her Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle plush, 1990.

Craig Britcher with his Battlestar Galactica toy, 1970s.
Craig Britcher, Project Coordinator & Assistant Curator Western PA Sports Museum, with his Battlestar Galactica toy, 1970s.

“These are Velvet and Crissy dolls my mom had as a child, and my sister and I always played with them when we were children! They’ve become a bit of an heirloom.” Submitted by Michelle Falcone.

Submitted by Jennifer Dinovitz.

Submitted by Andrea Snyder McPherson.

Video Gallery

Exhibit Curator Talks

Exhibit Sponsors

The Heinz Endowments
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Bob and Joan Peirce
Playthings Etc. Family Toys & Hobbies
Replay FX
Desmone Architects

 

Exhibition Gallery

1950s Living Room
Visit the 1950s living room in the Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s exhibit to learn more about how the postwar economic book affected families and toy sales. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

1960s Living Room
Visit the 1960s living room to learn about how this fractured decade affected toy options for America’s youth. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

The Garage
Visit the garage to try your hand at some of the toys created for outdoor use during the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

1970s Living Room
Visit the 1970s living room to learn more about the toys created during a time when children’s time with toys was spent away from home, in the company of their peers. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

The ReplayFX Arcade
At the end of the exhibit, visit the arcade to play vintage pinball and video arcade games, courtesy of ReplayFX. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Raggedy Ann & Andy
Raggedy Ann and Andy were inspired by stories published by cartoonist Johnny Gruelle and were popular designs for handmade dolls. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Slinky
The Slinky was created by James Industries in the late 1960s. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
Rock ’em Sock ’em Robotos was the creation of Marvin Glass & Associates in the late 1960s. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Barbie and Ken
Barbie debuted on March 9, 1959 at the New York Toy Fair. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Barbie and Ken
Ken, Barbie, and her Austin-Healey 3000, from Mattel, 1960-62. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Mr. Potato Head
On April 20, 1952, Mr. Potato Head became the first toy to be advertised on television and changed how toys were marketed. The kit became an immediate hit, with more than 1,000,000 sold in the first year. In the ensuing years, additional kits and accessories were added to the line. The company introduced a plastic potato body in 1964. On loan from the Smithsonian Institution. | Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

GI Joe
GI Joe – the world’s first action figure – debuted in 1964 as Hasbro’s attempt to match the success of Mattel’s Barbie doll. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

GI Joe
GI Joe – the world’s first action figure – debuted in 1964 as Hasbro’s attempt to match the success of Mattel’s Barbie doll. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Hungry Hungry Hippos
“The Frantic Marble Munching Game” was introduced to the world by Fred Kroll, who also invented the similarly noisy action game Trouble. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Gumby & Pokey
Gumby originated as a clay animation character created by Art Clokey. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota History Center.

Dolls
Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Hula Hoops
Enjoy the hands-on activities at the garage including picking up a hula hoop or throwing a Nerf ball. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Digi-Comp toy computer, 1960s
This very basic mechanical computing toy, the first of its kind, introduced children to computing principles such as binary programming. On loan from the Smithsonian Institution. | Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Gumby & Pokey
Gumby and Pokey enjoy the play area in the Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s exhibit. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Star Wars Figurines
Kenner wisely picked up the licensing rights for Star Wars figures, but couldn’t meet the demand and ended up issuing an “Early Bird Certificate Package” containing a voucher to be redeemed for four action figures. Eight additional figures were issued in 1978, resulting in a 12-figure set that was highly prized by collectors of all ages. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen

Star Wars’ Millennium Falcon
Adults snapped up Star Wars action figures as collectibles, giving rise to a category of toys intended for display rather than play. Photo by Rachellynn Schoen